18 things to do in Toronto today: Saturday, September 1

Sep 1 2018, 2:03 am

Happy Saturday, Toronto!

The mild weather continues and the sun will shine, so take advantage of the long weekend with these events in the city today.

Fan Expo Canada

fan expo canada/facebook

What: Fandom at its best. From comics to sci-fi, horror and gaming, all under one massive roof. Guests this year include Jason Momoa (DC Justice League), Michael J. Fox (Back to the Future), Evangeline Lilly (Ant-Man and the Wasp), Joe Keery (Stranger Things), Rob Schneider (Saturday Night Live), and more.

When: Now until September 2
Time: Saturday, 10 am to 7 pm; Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm
Where: Metro Toronto Convention Centre, 222 Bremner Blvd.
Price: From $25

Canadian National Exhibition (CNE)

What: No summer is complete without a visit to the EX. Get some food, and win some ridiculously large prizes.

When: Now until September 3
Time: The grounds are open daily from 10 am to midnight, but attractions and rides all close at different times
Where: Canadian National Exhibition, 210 Princes’ Boulevard
Price: General admission is $19.99

Asian Market at the CNE

cne

Greg Paupst/CNE

What: New to the CNE this year is the Telus Asian Market, which is billed as a “bustling beehive of interactive experiences in a colourful and aromatic marketplace that will feature distinctive artisan creations, fabulous food, and engaging entertainment offerings.”

When: Now until September 3
Time: 10 am to 11 pm
Where: Exhibition Place, Princes’ Boulevard
Price: Free with CNE admission

Artfest

What: You can enjoy painting, photography, sculpture, fine craft, live music and more from Canada’s top artist set up throughout the cobblestone lanes of the historic Distillery District this long weekend.

When: Now until September 3
Time: 11 am to 6 pm
Where: The Distillery Historic District, 55 Mill Street
Price: Admission is free

Toronto Rib, Bacon and BBQ Fest

Ribs/Shutterstock

What: Hogtown is going hog wild. The Toronto Rib, Bacon and BBQ Festival is taking over Downsview Park over Labour Day weekend and is promising a massive Ribfest bolstered by the addition of vendors specializing in bacon and barbecue as well.

When: Now until September 3
Time: Saturday and Sunday, 11 am to 11 pm; Monday, 11 am to 9 pm
Where: Downsview Park, 35 Carl Hall Road, North York
Price: General admission is $5. Kids under 12 are Free

Ashkenaz Festival

What: Toronto’s Ashkenaz Festival is taking over Harbourfront Centre (as well as other venues around the GTA) this weekend and while the programming features music, art, and entertainment, food-wise, look forward to a competitive sampling from some of Toronto’s top bagel meisters at the Bagel Battle as well as touring the world of Sephardic desserts.

When: Now until September 3
Time: Varies by day
Where:
 Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay West
Price: Most events are free

Rogers Ignite TV Command House

Roundhouse Park

Roundhouse Park

What: This weekend, entertainment enthusiasts are invited to attend the city’s largest ‘house party’ where fan-favourite content will come to life. This five-day entertainment extravaganza will feature non-stop free activities including movie screenings, celebrity meet-and-greets, opportunities to rub elbows with current and former Blue Jays and Maple Leaf players and plenty of family-friendly activities.

When: Now until September 5
Time:  Saturday, 8 am to 8 pm; Sunday and Monday, 10 am to 11 pm
Where: Roundhouse Park, 255 Bremner Blvd.
Price: Admission is free

The Art of Banksy

What: A new massive exhibit curated by Steve Lazarides, Banksy’s former manager, is now open in Toronto displaying the largest collection of the artist’s works. According to organizers, with over $35 million in art, this is the largest Banksy exhibit ever assembled.

When: Now until September 16
Time: Monday and Tuesday, 11 am to 7 pm; Wednesday, 11 am to 8 pm; Thursday and Friday, 11 am to 10 pm; Saturday, 9 am to 12 am; Sunday, 9 am to 9 pm
Where: 213 Sterling Road, Toronto
Price: Tickets start at $35

Spiders: Fear & Fascination

spiders

Robert Whyte/Rom.on.ca

What: This summer, the ROM welcomed a new exhibit, Spiders: Fear & Fascination and trust us, it’s definitely not for the faint of heart. The exhibit explores the hunting, burrowing, and weaving world of these eight-legged creatures and will feature more than 400 live and preserved spiders, cutting-edge interactive experiences, and new scientific discoveries.

When: Now until January
Time: 10 am to 5:30 pm
Where: The Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queen’s Park
Price: $32 for adults

Evergreen Brickworks Saturday Market

What: The Evergreen Brick Works’ Saturday Farmers’ Market is the largest farmers’ market in Toronto. Come and enjoy good food from local farmers, food producers, and chefs.

When: September 1
Time: 8 am to 1 pm
Where: Evergreen Brick Works, 550 Bayview
Price: Admission is free

Really Really Free Market

vintage

Shutterstock

What: This month’s edition of the Really Really Free Market is taking place this Saturday. Taking place at Campbell Park, everything you see at the market is absolutely free. Seriously, no money is required, and there’s no swapping involved. Just remember, if you bring items to share, you must bring them before 3 pm and make sure they are in clean and working condition.

When: September 1
Time: 10 am to 4 pm
Where: Campbell Park, 225 Campbell Avenue
Price: Free

Waterfront Artisan Market

What: Back for its third year, the Waterfront Artisan Market features 50 bakers, chefs, and artisans hawking summery street foods and locally-made products. The market runs every Saturday and Sunday.

When: September 1 and 2
Time: Saturday, 11 am to 8 pm; Sunday, 11 am to 5 pm
Where: HTO Park, 339 Queens Quay West
Price: Admission is free

Canadian International Air Show

thunderbirds

CNE

What: Whether you’re watching from your condo, the CNE or along the Harbour Front, there’s no better way to end summer than by watching the Canadian International Air Show. It’s not only Canada’s largest and longest-running aviation display but its easily the most popular way to enjoy the Labour Day weekend in the city. The CIAS is best viewed at the southwest waterfront grounds of the CNE, south of the bandshell.

When: September 1 to 3
Tim: 12 pm to 3 pm
Where: Over Lake Ontario
Price: Free with CNE admission

Aloha at Cabana Pool Bar

What: You can celebrate the long weekend in style at this tropical Hawaiian party at Cabana Pool Bar. Jed Harper and Chris Laroque will be spinning, and guests who wear a Hawaiian shirt receive free cover.

When: September 1
Time: 1 pm to 9 pm
Where: Cabana Pool Bar, 11 Polson Street
Price: $20 or free if you wear a Hawaiian shirt

Chudleigh Cider Summer Nights

@chudleighsfarm/Instagram

What: Chudleigh’s Farm re-opened in July, unveiling a brand new way to experience the farm. As part of the new experience, the farm is launching Summer Cider Nights, which will take place on Friday and Saturday nights throughout August, featuring live music, delicious food, wagon rides, the new Chudleigh’s Hard Cider and so much more.

When: September 1
Time: 4 pm to 10 pm
Where:
 9528 Regional Road 25, Halton Hills, ON
Price: $10 per person

Sunnyside 20 – Episode 07 with Dubfire and friends

What: This Saturday, celebrate the 20th season of summer music and events at Sunnyside Pavilion. Come and enjoy an evening filled with good music, people and vibes.

When: September 1
Time: 
4 pm to 11 pm
Where: Sunnyside Pavilion, 1755 Lake Shore Boulevard West
Price: $25 to $30

Le Burger Week

Le Burger Week 2018

Le Burger Week/Facebook

What: This year, Le Burger Week has gone national will be taking place across six provinces. In Toronto, there will be nine participating restaurants competing for the title of their city’s best burger, including Holy Chuck, Zeal Burgers, The Broadview Hotel, Allstar W&R Restaurants to name a few.

When: September 1 to 7
Time: Hours vary by location
Where: Restaurants throughout the city
Price: Varies by location

Femme Fatale 2.0

What: The second Femme Fatale showcase will celebrate the unique and inspiring women in Toronto’s music community. There will be performances from Karis, Effie Sky and Jessie Jean.

When: September 1
Time: 7 pm to 10:30 pm
Where: 
Supermarket, 268 Augusta Avenue
Price: $10 at the door

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